VILLAR DE VILDAS - LAGUNAS DEL PÁRAMO ROUTE

The route starts at the car park in Villar de Vildas, where you leave the vehicle. From this point, follow the waymarked route P.R. AS-14.1 south, which leads to the well-known Braña de La Pornacal along a comfortable track that takes in the first 350 metres of ascent.

From here, continue along the track that goes up the whole valley of the river Pigüeña to the turn-off, to the left and uphill, for the path to La Peral. At the turn-off you will have climbed another 200 metres. Taking the turn-off, the climb begins up the recognisable zigzag track that takes in most of the remaining ascent, about 300 metres, and leads to the well-known Collado La Enfestiella, as it appears on the 1:50,000 national topographic map (MTN50).

To climb to the Sierra del Páramo you can use the options shown on the map. This climb can be avalanche terrain, so assess the conditions on the day and take great care when choosing your line of ascent. Once at the col, keep climbing north towards the Alto La Cogolla, which gives access to the Sierra del Páramo. The route runs along this range, and it is possible to climb to the top of Pico Llagariellu (1,826 m) before continuing past the Páramo lagoons to their westernmost end, where the descent begins that leads back to the P.R. AS-14.1 used on the way up.

At around 1,750–1,800 metres you find the first descent option (black) down the Valle el Castro.

The upper part of this descent is very open and allows wide turns on a sustained slope. Once down at 1,600 metres the gully narrows into a funnel and forces you through a narrower couloir with a small drop, which you must skirt to the east along a narrow corridor. Once past this point, the skiing becomes easier and the valley opens up again. To rejoin the track you came up, it is very important to skirt the enclosures to the west, where you will find the track after passing some steps of 1–2 metres.

If you continue to the next descent option, you can climb to the summit of Llagariellu (1,826 m) by way of the Laguna Llamazo. From the summit, you can take off your skins and begin the descent, looking for the entrance to the couloir. Las Caranganas forms a fairly open gully with good visibility. At 1,400 metres you should start tending east to avoid the enclosures and rejoin the track. This line is much more intuitive and accessible than the previous one.